Armed Forces Day parade celebrates servicemen and women

Army reservists, cadets and ex-servicemen and women marched through the streets as part of the borough's Armed Forces Day celebrations yesterday.

A flag raising ceremony at Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs, was followed by the parade.

The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Hugh Rayner, raised a flag above the town hall as a symbol of support and recognition for those serving in the armed forces.

Cllr Rayner said: "Armed Forces Day gives all of us a chance to acknowledge the many achievements of Her Majesty’s armed forces to recognise their current contribution and offer prayers for their wellbeing and continued success.”

Comments (11)

The borough of Barnet should be ashamed of themselves... This annual parade of 'gratitude' is nothing short of a farce. No attempt at promoting the event is made resulting in Less and less of the public actually attending. If you exclude the friends and families of those taking part you could count the total crowd with one hand. If the newly elected mayor really wanted to show his support for the armed forces the parade should, like the rest of the country, actually be held ON armed forces day. Perhaps make an actual event of it. Armed forces day should be a celebration of the hard work and dedication members of HM forces, This mundane, easily overlooked and pitiful 'event' lacks any respect or compassion is nothing short of an embarrassment and insult to those who risk their lives serving their country as well as the army/air/sea Cadets who can hold their heads up high for respectfully and dutifully participating in exceptional numbers and dress.

The borough of Barnet should be ashamed of themselves... This annual parade of 'gratitude' is nothing short of a farce. No attempt at promoting the event is made resulting in Less and less of the public actually attending. If you exclude the friends and families of those taking part you could count the total crowd with one hand. If the newly elected mayor really wanted to show his support for the armed forces the parade should, like the rest of the country, actually be held ON armed forces day. Perhaps make an actual event of it. Armed forces day should be a celebration of the hard work and dedication members of HM forces, This mundane, easily overlooked and pitiful 'event' lacks any respect or compassion is nothing short of an embarrassment and insult to those who risk their lives serving their country as well as the army/air/sea Cadets who can hold their heads up high for respectfully and dutifully participating in exceptional numbers and dress.extremesoul81

As members of the reserve forces, veterans, and members of the the cadet forces united to March as one, the spirit community was nowhere to be seen. Armed Forces Day is a time to mark both the remembrance and the celebration of what the forces have achieved and overcome and continue to do each and every day yet the support they were shown was no less than a disgrace.
The decision to hold the parade in a day other than Armed Forces Day should be a reminder that the event is not taken as seriously within Hendon or by its members. However, are Hendonians and the surrounding areas to blame when there was no publicity or promotion?
The Mayor may not see this as an important event, but as someone who has seen the impact of war, I cannot understand why such an event would be so overlooked and made to be, for lack of a better word, a burden on society.
To those who marched so proudly, I applaud you! The effort and pride taken by those taking part was no less than perfect, but in return they were given a sandwich and a cup of juice at the town hall to say thanks.
Armed Forces Day is not a publicity stunt, Mr Mayor, please do not use it as such.

As members of the reserve forces, veterans, and members of the the cadet forces united to March as one, the spirit community was nowhere to be seen. Armed Forces Day is a time to mark both the remembrance and the celebration of what the forces have achieved and overcome and continue to do each and every day yet the support they were shown was no less than a disgrace.
The decision to hold the parade in a day other than Armed Forces Day should be a reminder that the event is not taken as seriously within Hendon or by its members. However, are Hendonians and the surrounding areas to blame when there was no publicity or promotion?
The Mayor may not see this as an important event, but as someone who has seen the impact of war, I cannot understand why such an event would be so overlooked and made to be, for lack of a better word, a burden on society.
To those who marched so proudly, I applaud you! The effort and pride taken by those taking part was no less than perfect, but in return they were given a sandwich and a cup of juice at the town hall to say thanks.
Armed Forces Day is not a publicity stunt, Mr Mayor, please do not use it as such.Hendon101

No AverageBarnetResiden
t, just passionately expressing my view and voicing my opinion on the poor attempt made by Barnet Council and the newly elected Mayor to thank our armed forces and to show gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices they make. They all deserve far far better than a quick 20minute unadvertised parade on a Sunday morning... Perhaps you could share your view on the matter and sum up the efforts or lack of made by said council...

[quote][p][bold]AverageBarnetResiden
t[/bold] wrote:
Hyperbolic comments much...?[/p][/quote]No AverageBarnetResiden
t, just passionately expressing my view and voicing my opinion on the poor attempt made by Barnet Council and the newly elected Mayor to thank our armed forces and to show gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices they make. They all deserve far far better than a quick 20minute unadvertised parade on a Sunday morning... Perhaps you could share your view on the matter and sum up the efforts or lack of made by said council...extremesoul81

I saw posters on lamposts in Hendon clearly publicising the event so I think there was some advertising. Sadly it's sometimes difficult to get people to turn up to events, however important they are so I don' think we can fully blame the council or the mayor.

I saw posters on lamposts in Hendon clearly publicising the event so I think there was some advertising. Sadly it's sometimes difficult to get people to turn up to events, however important they are so I don' think we can fully blame the council or the mayor.Natastic1

I do agree but I must admit the only advertisement I was able to see was the road closure signs put up on the Thursday before the event.
You are right though, it is hard to get people to attend. It amazes me that other boroughs put on such memorable parades with communities coming together yet the borough of barnet held nothing more than a photo op. As people walked by, they didn't even stop to see what was going on.
The funny thing is that during the event, a lady was handing out flyers for an event being held next weekend in aid of help for hero's. Perhaps of more promotion and publicity, even as small as handing out flyers was carried out there may have been more awareness and support.

I do agree but I must admit the only advertisement I was able to see was the road closure signs put up on the Thursday before the event.
You are right though, it is hard to get people to attend. It amazes me that other boroughs put on such memorable parades with communities coming together yet the borough of barnet held nothing more than a photo op. As people walked by, they didn't even stop to see what was going on.
The funny thing is that during the event, a lady was handing out flyers for an event being held next weekend in aid of help for hero's. Perhaps of more promotion and publicity, even as small as handing out flyers was carried out there may have been more awareness and support.Hendon101

Natastic1 wrote:
I do think it would have also have helped if the event was held on the Saturday when there was so much more national coverage raising the profile.

I completely agree, it should be held on the correct day. The various cadet branches could even be enlisted to promote the event over the weekend's before to hand out fliers at local shopping centres etc.

[quote][p][bold]Natastic1[/bold] wrote:
I do think it would have also have helped if the event was held on the Saturday when there was so much more national coverage raising the profile.[/p][/quote]I completely agree, it should be held on the correct day. The various cadet branches could even be enlisted to promote the event over the weekend's before to hand out fliers at local shopping centres etc.extremesoul81

It's become quite common that events are not organised with the right intentions. Did the organisers feel that this was a burden to keep the forces happy? An opportunity for over time and a buffet? Maybe, maybe not.
One thing is for sure and that is that this event could have been do much more yet it was let down by the lack of promotion and the lack of community interest.
Well done to those who took part and the dozen or so supporters.

It's become quite common that events are not organised with the right intentions. Did the organisers feel that this was a burden to keep the forces happy? An opportunity for over time and a buffet? Maybe, maybe not.
One thing is for sure and that is that this event could have been do much more yet it was let down by the lack of promotion and the lack of community interest.
Well done to those who took part and the dozen or so supporters.lina0440